I’m always shocked by professionals who don’t carry their calendar with them. You can forget your business cards, your cell phone or even your wallet, but your calendar is the most essential piece of gear that should follow you everywhere you go.

Why am I obsessed with carrying my calendar? Because anytime you meet someone or any time inspiration strikes, your calendar provides the perfect way to take action. Sure, you can exchange business cards with someone and hope that one of you remember to follow up. But how many times have you found an old card in the bottom of pocket or a purse and wondered how you got it? The same is true with clever ideas or sudden realizations. Ever said to yourself: “I must not forget to…” and then completely forgot? Yes, and probably at least once today.

If you carry your calendar, you can meet people and make appointments. You can write down ideas for blocks of time in the future when you’ll actually be able to act on them. Your calendar is a time machine. Use it to control the future.